While boys commonly go to martial arts to learn self-defence and participate in competitions, girls should also do the same. Surprisingly enough, not many girls do so, whether it be because girls don’t think they’re capable of such feat or assume that such sports are for boys. Regardless of the reasoning, martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu were created to help weaker opponents dominate larger opponents, whether for competition or self-defence. As such, it is recommended that girls participate in Jiu-Jitsu for those reasons and more!
What other reasons should girls participate in Jiu-Jitsu, you ask? Here they are:
1. Jiu-Jitsu Helps You Build Confidence
Regardless of how skilled you are, Jiu-Jitsu will allow you to make mistakes – lots of mistakes. Without a doubt, you’ll lose a lot of matches as a beginner with poor technique. But no matter what, you’ll get up, get back on the horse and try again. Slowly but surely, your technique will improve, and your confidence will grow. On top of that, you’ll have the backing of a support system that will show you that everyone makes mistakes, but more importantly, everyone has the ability to learn from them.
2. Jiu-Jitsu Helps You Develop Mental Resilience
The art of Jiu-Jitsu is all about overcoming adversity, whether it’s through physical strength or mental toughness. When you’re a beginner, you’re likely to tap a lot if you’re involved in sharp transitions and if your technique isn’t on par with your opponent. But you’ll learn to prevail, and that’s the important thing.
3. Jiu-Jitsu Helps You Build Strength and Endurance
Jiu-Jitsu is an extremely taxing sport. It only makes sense to get fit with it. With sessions that can last up to 1-2 hours, you might find yourself winded if you’re not on par with your opponent. Fortunately, Jiu-Jitsu will help you build up your ability to sustain such long sessions. And in the process, you’ll also tighten up those muscles!
4. Jiu-Jitsu Helps Improve Your Balance
In Jiu-Jitsu, some of the moves are performed from a standing position, and you’ll need to work to maintain your balance even when your opponent takes you down. It’s all about finding the right position, and Jiu-Jitsu will teach you how to do that.
5. Jiu-Jitsu Helps You Work on Your Flexibility
If you’re not flexible, you’ll have a hard time in Jiu-Jitsu. And the reason for that is simple: the more flexible you are, the more positions that you can take upon the ground. Being flexible will also allow you to avoid injuries by stretching and loosening up your body before, after and even during training.
Conclusion
You don’t even need to use your gender to determine your participation in Jiu-Jitsu. If you’re interested in learning self-defence and want to compete, then try it out! It doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or a girl. That’s because of the high number of benefits you can get from participating in martial art. At the end of the day, learning Jiu-Jitsu is never a bad decision at all.
Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu provides professional BJJ training in Canada to adults and children alike. If you are interested in BJJ training for any reason, be sure to reach out to us today!
